The inhibitive properties of Nopal slime on the corrosion of steel in chloride-contaminated mortar
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine if a type of cactus mucilage, Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI), may act as a corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in cement-based materials (mortar) exposed to chloride-laden environment.
Design/methodology/approach
Mortar prisms, reinforced with carbon steel rods, were immersed in sodium chloride (NaCl) solution for five wet – dry cycles. The experimentation included electrochemical monitoring (corrosion potential, Ecorr, and polarization resistance, Rp) of carbon steel during the time of exposure until corrosion-induced cracking appeared at the mortar surface. Crack survey on the mortar prisms was performed. Carbon steel rods were retrieved from the mortar after crack survey and steel mass loss at the end of the experimental period was estimated. A comparison between the different mixtures was also performed.
Findings
OFI mucilage did perform as a corrosion inhibitor of steel in chloride contaminated mortar.
Research limitations/implications
The experimental program needs to be corroborated in concrete specimens with typical dimensions. The surface oxide/hydroxide formation of the carbon steel in contact with the OFI mucilage is still unknown; thus, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses are needed.
Practical implications
OFI mucilage is a suitable natural product that can be used to increase durability of concrete structures not only in countries where OFI cactus is produced, but also in many other countries where this plant is considered a plague.
Originality/value
The new information obtained from this paper is the innovative use of a by-product of this cactus plant for construction industry applications.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are indebted to Instituto Mexicano del Transporte (Mexican Transportation Research Institute) Querétaro, Mexico, for financial support and research scholarships provided to the Universidad Marista de Queretaro (Marist University of Queretaro). The opinions and findings in this paper are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the funding agencies.
Citation
Martinez-Molina, W., Torres-Acosta, A., Hernández-Leos, R., Alonso-Guzman, E., Mendoza-Pérez, I. and Martinez-Peña, I. (2015), "The inhibitive properties of Nopal slime on the corrosion of steel in chloride-contaminated mortar", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 63 No. 1, pp. 65-71. https://doi.org/10.1108/ACMM-05-2014-1381
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
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